MLA Arvind Meets Goa CM, advocates Sustainable Tourism & Green Development
GOA: Senior BJP leader and MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta met with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and discussed strategies for enhancing tourism and promoting sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, Arvind Gupta highlighted the significant influx of tourists in J&K every year, emphasizing the region’s immense potential to become a global tourism hub. However, he expressed concern over the increasing trend of concretization, which, if unchecked, could undermine the region’s natural beauty. Drawing inspiration from Goa, where over 65 percent of the state is covered with greenery, Arvind stressed the need for a similar approach in J&K.
He urged the J&K government to shift its focus from large-scale concrete structures to eco-friendly tourism projects that preserve the region’s pristine landscapes.
Arvind Gupta emphasized that J&K, known for its breathtaking valleys, lush meadows, and snow-capped mountains, should prioritize sustainable tourism by promoting green infrastructure, eco-tourism villages, and organic farming-based hospitality initiatives. He pointed out that excessive urbanization often leads to environmental degradation, diminishing the charm that attracts tourists in the first place. Instead, he advocated for policies that encourage afforestation, preservation of heritage sites, and the integration of traditional architectural elements in modern developments.
The Goa Chief Minister, appreciating Arvind Gupta’s insights, shared his state’s experience in balancing tourism with ecological conservation. He highlighted how Goa’s tourism policies ensure that development does not come at the cost of nature, maintaining a fine equilibrium between progress and sustainability.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged that J&K’s unique cultural and natural wealth could be leveraged for high-end tourism while ensuring long-term environmental stability.
As a gesture of goodwill, he presented Arvind Gupta with a book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolizing the visionary leadership that has propelled India’s tourism sector towards global recognition.
Arvind Gupta expressed gratitude for the fruitful discussion and assured that he would push for similar sustainable tourism policies in J&K. He reiterated that green development, coupled with responsible tourism, is the key to ensuring that the natural beauty of J&K remains its biggest strength for generations to come.
